It's the type of show that schools would call a "multimedia presentation" - Russian Cossacks doing their Russian thing, futuristic skaters doing their futuristic thing while films of Ice Capades gone by play on the big screen.

For my money, the highlight this year is the tribute to Ice Capades gone by. The music from Gershwin and Porter hasn't dated at all. The costumes - from cigarette girl outfits to poofy-skirts and snowball head-dresses - have.

As for the Simpsons, they played comic relief, showing up in seats all around the arena and displaying their special gift for being loutish.

HOMER: "I thought we were going to a hockey game!"

MARGE: "I said we were going to see some professional skaters."

HOMER: "Well I'm not leaving here until I see a brawl!"

Enter Bart.

Bart and Homer brawl.

In the end, the Ice Capades exist just beyond the grasp of critics and reviewers. The truth is, they would probably serve best as an occasion to write an extended essay on America, its values and its popular culture.